Ruger American Ranch Gen 2 5.56, or 7.62x39?

[Brettzky]

I'm expecting a back-order shipment notification any day now (eye roll) for the 5.56 version, as the retailer I went with was said to be getting 20 of that calibre in March.
I was originally searching for the 7.62x39, just because the Gen 1 reportedly shot well with cheap surplus ammo, and 5.56/223 seems to be more expensive in general.
I probably won't be hunting with it.

Now I'm looking around at shops and most of them are charging more for the 7.62x39 than any of the other calibres (all back ordered/out of stock anyways)

Seems anyone that has the gen 2 in Canada from previous imports are few and far between, but has anyone got their hands on the 7.62 version and speak to it's performance? Should I be keeping the 5.56 order or just get the money back and keep digging for the red ammo variant?

 

[armybuck041]

My Gen 2 in 7.62x39 should land here sometime next week. Was able to grab it through IRG, though they sold out within a few minutes of posting them.

 

[SigWig]

In my scenario I have some 223 ammo but nothing I can take out of the house to shoot it. I'd be going 223. I have an sks or two. No need for the 7.62x39

 

[Buck1950]

I bought a Gen1 a couple years ago and get 2-MOA out to 175-yds with just a 3-9x duplex, both with Chinese MS and Barnaul. I don't have any 'better' ammo than the Barnaul at present, but the Barnaul is SP just in case meat prices keep rising.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Which one? YES! I know 3-4 people who have 5.56 Rugers and are completely satisfied. If you go to the 7.62x39 it is a legal deer cartridge in most provinces.

 

[Ungrateful]

You will end up buying modern non-corrosive ammo for your semi autos and using the bolt action to burn up all your corrosive surplus ammo since it’s so much quicker to clean. That’s what happened for me anyway. I have a first gen 7.62x39 and planning to get a 223 also. 7.62x39 will get more use at the range 223 will get more use around the farm on varmints and pests

 

[armybuck041]

Speak of the devil.....

Quick thoughts. Feels better in the hand than my Gen 1. Stock seems like a big improvement. My last one got dumped for an MDT chassis. This one will most likely remain in the factory stock. Bolt isn't "zippery" like my Gen 1 was, but it's not exactly a Tikka. Bit wobbly when it's fully open same as the Gen 1. Trigger is definitely better out of the box. Not sure if that was part of the update from Gen 1 to Gen 2, but this one is definitely better than my Gen 1. Given the choice, I'd take the Gen 2 without a second thought.